Affordable Residential Rebirth

Welcome back!

There is the perception that many “new urban” style developments are expensive. The truth is the cost of buying a home in a new urban style development varies. Some are pricey others are created to be affordable. You really do need to look around and I promise I’ll have the list of new urban style communities out by September!

For now, take a look at a recent New York Times profile of the rebirth of a community in downtown Tacoma Washington. This “new urban” style community consists of afford ably priced newly constructed homes. Take a look at the pictures featured in the story – the homes are very attractive.

“Phase 1 consists of 90 market-rate houses, 40 below-market-rate houses for sale to buyers with incomes less than 60 percent of $49,584, the city’s median, and about 300 subsidized rental units — town houses and apartments in multifamily buildings.

When the 188-acre development is completed in 2009, it will have about 250 market-rate houses, 100 below-market-rate houses and 815 subsidized rentals. Financing for the project includes a $35 million federal Hope VI grant, $9 million from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund and about $60 million in private funds generated from the sale of low-income tax credits.”

Full story.

30-Day Challenge

This website is all about supporting women who choose to adopt the “new urbanism” approach to living healthy and productive lives in community with those who mean the most to us.  We’re changing our communities and today’s wired world helps us to do just that with fantastic communication tools like blogging.   In this spirit of conversation and community I’ve joined a 30-day blogging challenge! 

While this is like most challenges (designed to keep participants on task) I think it’s a great opportunity for you to meet some other moms with different insights and interests who also blog and maintain websites that you might like to visit.  The women involved in this challenge are women I’ve come to know through a wonderful business networking organization called Mom Masterminds (see button on the left).  These innovative moms are working women and entrepreneurs just like so many of you who visit this site.   I’m happy to list them here for your convenience and reading pleasure.

Crystal Misener of Happy Mommy Thoughts 

Jenni Hunt of Snacks For Toddlers Diana of The Cravings Coach 

Kristine McKinley of Financial Tips For WAHMs Marie Ynami of Mommy Community 

Courtney of Mom Needs A Clone Carrie Lauth with her own Carrie Lauth blog 

Casual Friday Every Day

Many thanks to Crystal Misener for getting us into shape!

Ah…Summer Festivals

Our community places great emphasis on invigorating community life. We have events throughout the year that are designed to bring people together on our streets, in our parks and at various business and recreational venues across our region.

This weekend we have an international golf tournament in town. To involve everyone in the excitement (golfers AND non golfers) our local restaurants, art galleries, retailers, other commercial businesses and recreational centers have played up the golf theme. All this means is that they have found sponsors to underwrite a “festival” and have yet another reason to close streets and invite folks out to stroll, listen to some outdoor music, sit at impromptu cafes and enjoy the sunshine with neighbors and tourists.

I think I have found a new principle for our “new urbanist” lifestyle: use any special event or occasion (no matter how irrelevant to the community at large) as a reason to celebrate. The excitement raises social and commercial interest in your community (which is good for everyone). And best of all you have yet another reason to walk around and socialize with the people who have significant impact on your quality of life – your family and the people who live in your community.

Live and Work at Home In Style

The picture in today’s post features the “live/work” units that are part of the Cornell community in Markham, Ontario (Canada). Cornell is a new urban style development that has that friendly “old fashioned” feel.

Let’s say you’re a Mary Kay consultant or a virtual assistant or graphic designer…couldn’t you just imagine yourself settling into one of these units that has your “store-front” office on the main floor and your living space on the top two? It may not be for everyone but for those who need a separate space for their business but can not afford to lease commercial space, this is an affordable alternative that also gives you a prime “storefront” location. For work at home moms this is ideal!

Living the Life You Choose

Part of the attraction of the new urbanist lifestyle is that it is all about living a life shaped by what is important to you. When we first searched out our first home we didn’t think in terms of full quality of life. We thought about where could we find a great looking house that was affordable. Well we found the house of our dreams and it was located exactly 1.5 hours away from our jobs in the city. [Read more]

The Steady Spread of New Urbanism

There is an awful lot of talk about the slow spread of “new urbanism”. I don’t think it’s spreading all that slowly.

The new urbanism philosophy–people living in eco-friendly communities where they can also work and play–is more widespread than we think. I’d say that the work at home mom trend has taken off over the last 15 years primarily because of new urbanism.  [Read more]

Local Networking Key to Success

One of the key challenges for new business owners and job hunters alike is to find effective ways to meet prospective clients or employers. This can be a tall order for moms who have to squeeze this into a day already filled with existing work projects, family priorities and life’s daily surprises!

If you’ve just started your home business your top objective is to get business ASAP so you’ll want to start promoting your services or products to your target prospects. If you are looking for a new job perhaps closer to home and family, your chances will improve if you can find venues where you can meet prospective new employers in your community. [Read more]